The Violin Channel member Andy Kippins, from Canada was keen to know: ‘Does success in a music competition really matter these days?’

We threw Andy’s question over to French violin virtuoso and pedagogue, Mr. Pierre Amoyal:

“Dear Andy,

I have asked myself this question many times over the last fifteen years, as a performer, a professor and as a juror. The time when music lovers could follow the chivalrous rivalries between the likes of Ginette Neveu and David Oïstrakh is long gone, but let’s not be nostalgic for the past.

Today’s international competitions are well-publicised events, but in my opinion they are not revealing a real hierarchy among young artists. They are exciting and sometimes surprising events which produce short-term effects in the music world. This corresponds perfectly to the times we live in; we are too often looking for ephemeral excitement.

Nevertheless, competitions are offering young players the valuable opportunity to improve their skills and to gain experience. A good example of their value is demonstrated by the rise of Andrey Baranov, who after competing in thirty three competitions, finally seized the crown of the Queen Elisabeth Competition.

Every competition that we prepared for together brought improvements to Andrey’s technique and sound projection. We furthered his range of colours and, very importantly, we built up a choice of repertoire befitting his musical personality.

During those years of preparation, he acquired discipline in his practicing, improved stage presence and a certain respect for music, its composers, audiences and the profession, in which he now holds a well-deserved position.

The process of judging an artistic performance through classification is futile, but I believe that as long as jurors fulfill their responsibilities with sensitivity, passion and integrity, competitions can continue to gain the confidence of their participants and the public.

Although the multiplicity of competitions is making their results less definitive, the danger of discouragement is hopefully avoided for the talented and well-prepared participants.

All these points have led me today to disagree with my venerable and beloved teacher Jascha Heifetz, who after I asked him to help me prepare for a competition said: “Is that all you are looking for? To become a number?” Times have changed and I know I would convince him that in today’s world participation is so much more important than results. But then he also used to say: “It does not matter how long it will take you to get where you want to be, what matters is how long you will stay there.” And with this I will always agree.

Wishing great success to all participants, patience and determination to their teachers, and happy practicing.